American Mustang Facts

The word “mustang” comes from the Spanish word “ustengo”
which means “ownerless horse” or “stray horse.” American Mustangs derived from
the descendants of horses brought to North America by Spanish Explorers in the
16th century. At one point in time, about 100 years ago, there were more than 2
million roaming the land throughout the United States. Since then, many people
killed them in order to preserve the land for their own livestock. The number
of mustang was brought down to approximately 25,000.

In 1971, United States Congress passed the Wild Free-Roaming
Horse and Burro Act. This act protects horses and makes it illegal to capture
or kill them. However, at times, mustang herds get too large for the land they
live on to support them all. Overpopulation is prevented by the actions of the
Bureau of Land Management. They periodically round up mustang and sell them.
They are then tamed and used by ranchers or taken in as pets.

American mustangs can be found in every equine color
variation known and in a range of sizes. Horses are measured in units called
“hands.” A hand is used to measure height and denotes exactly 4 inches. The
size of a mustang can range from 13 to 16 hands, with 14 hands being the
average. They weigh between 700-800 pounds. The horses are very muscular and
athletic, normally traveling 20 miles per day over rough terrain. Mustang’s
hooves are uniquely hard and durable in comparison to domestic horses. They are
able to travel in various environments without experiencing injury or wear.

Naming

A full grown male is known as a “stallion,” while a grown
female is known as a “mare.” A male horse under the age of 4 is called a
“colt,” and a female horse the same age is called a “filly.” A horse of either
sex that is between the ages of one and two is called a “yearling” and a horse
less than a year old is called a “foal.”

Stallions will battle each other for breeding rights with
the mare during mating season, which is from April to July. After 11 months of
pregnancy, a foul is born. The newborn will immediately try to stand up, and
after a couple days, can join the herd. For several years they are with the
herd, but will then venture off and form a new herd. Mustangs are not fully
developed or mature until about age 5. The lifespan of a wild horse is
generally between 15-20 years in the wild.

Habitat

American mustangs are mostly found in Nevada but also occupy
land in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, North Dakota,
New Mexico, and California. They dwell on plains and prairies where food is
plentiful.

Mustangs are herbivores that feed on a variety of grasses
and eat up to 6 pounds of vegetation a day. They drink from lakes or streams
twice a day.

Fun Facts

The word “mustang” comes from the Spanish word “ustengo”
which means “ownerless horse” or “stray horse.”

Nevada’s state quarter features three wild mustangs.

American mustangs are considered a symbol of freedom and
America’s frontier past.

Spanish explorers introduced mustangs to North America in
the 16th century.

Horses are measured in units called “hands.”

A hand represents exactly 4 inches.

In 1971, President Richard Nixon signed into law the Wild
Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

The average height of a mustang is 14 hands.

Mustangs are a feral species, meaning they went from being
domesticated to being wild.

Mustangs are both nimble and athletic mammals.

Mustangs normally travel over 20 miles a day.

American Mustangs are able to travel over rough terrain in
various climates without experiencing injury or wear to the hooves.